Kuki Inpi Manipur Rejects CM Khemchand’s Kangpokpi Visit, Says It Was Not Consulted

The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), the apex body of the Kuki tribes, has categorically distanced itself from Chief Minister Y. Khemchand Singh’s recent visit to Kangpokpi, stating that the apex body was neither a party to nor involved in the visit.

In a statement, KIM said the Chief Minister’s visit was undertaken at the invitation of certain district-level civil society organisations (CSOs) in Kangpokpi and was not made at the invitation, direction, authorisation or mandate of the Kuki Inpi Manipur.

KIM strongly objected to the engagement, particularly in view of the ongoing Kuki movement for Separate Administration. It maintained that the actions of individual district-level CSOs should not be interpreted as representing the collective position, consent or mandate of KIM or the Kuki people.

The Kuki Inpi said it would not compromise, dilute or barter away the political aspirations and collective interests of the Kuki people for what it described as temporary engagements, personal interests or political expediency.

KIM also categorically rejected the Chief Minister’s visit and the engagements undertaken during it, reiterating its commitment to upholding what it described as the political aspirations and collective mandate of the Kuki people.

The apex body also urged the Kuki public to remain “clear, vigilant and united”, asserting that the political aspirations of the community could not be undermined through isolated engagements or unilateral actions.

KIM reaffirmed that it would remain firmly committed to the cause and aspirations of the Kuki people.